Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species:

Question

Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species: H 4 P 2 O 7

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Let the oxidation number(O.N.) of P be ‘x’

We know that,

O.N. of H = + 1

O.N. of O = -2

Therefore, we have,

4(+ 1) + 2(x) + 7(-2) = 0

4 + 2x-14 = 0

X = + 5

The O.N. of P is + 5.